|
|
Spotted
Tussock Moth
(11/12/2005) Tussock moth?
I found this warming in the sun near Sebastopol (north of
San Francisco). Some kind of tussock moth? Lovely site!
Joan
Hi Joan,
More specifically, this is a Spotted Tussock Moth, Lophocampa
maculata.
Tersa Sphinx Caterpillar
(11/11/2005) Tersa Sphinx - Brown Form
Thanks Mr. Bugman for helping me identify this Tersa Sphinx
in it's brown stage! I found him in the garden
yesterday, 11/10/05, and was fascinated. Here
are a couple pictures if you want to post them.
Thanks for a great site!
Margo,
Atlanta, GA
Hi Margo,
We love trying to identify critters for people, but we really
enjoy hearing that they identified them for themselves using
our site. Thank you for letting us know of your successful
identification.
Spicebrush
Swallowtail
(11/10/2005) Question
Hi,
We found this caterpillar in the yard and took some pictures
that are attached. Can you tell me what type of butterfly
this is? Thanks,
Mary Ruiz
Hauppauge, N.Y.
Hi Mary,
This is a Spicebrush Swallowtail. They feed on spicebrush,
sweet bay, sassafrass and other trees. It becomes a beautiful
black butterfly with green markings
Isabella Tiger Moth Caterpillar
(10/31/2005) Banded Wooly Bear
Hello Daniel,
I took a picture of this fellow on my lawn. Looked it
up in my National Audubon Society “Field Guide to Insects
& Spiders”. I actually don’t have much
luck identifying bugs from this book… but occasionally
I get lucky. In its description it stated… “According
to superstition, the amount of black in the caterpillar’s
bristle coating forecasts the severity of the coming winter.
Actually, the coloration indicates how near the caterpillar
is to full growth before autumn weather stimulates it to seek
a winter shelter.” It doesn’t really explain how
it overwinters, or where. Do they burrow underground?
Cocoon themselves up?
Thanks!
Yvonne
Barrie ,
Ontario
Hi Yvonne,
The Banded Woolly Bear is the caterpillar of the Isabella
Tiger Moth. The caterpillar sheds its hairs forms a cocoon
from the hairs. It pupates inside the hair shell.
Sphinx
Pupa
(10/30/2005) wow
We, the kids and I (mom) are looking to identify a pupae we
found under ground. It seems that is not possible, so many
look the same at that stage. Anyway, we found your site and
it is going on the top of my bookmarks now and forever and
ever. Beautiful job you're doing. Thank you. We decided to
try for identifying this pupae anyway, hoping it's large size
and distinctive hook will help. We are in southern Indiana.
This pupae was found about 3 inches underground in loose clay,
yesterday.
Kerra
Hi Kerra,
This is most definitely a Sphinx Moth Pupa. The hook is the
case for the proboscus, the long strawlike mouthparts. In
some tropical Sphinxes, the proboscus can be 10 inches long.
In the adult moth, it is coiled and only unfurled during feeding,
which is done while flying. We are not sure of the species,
but if it was found near where tomatoes are grown, it could
be a Tomato Hornworm, Manduca sexta.
Two
Tussock Moth Caterpillars
(10/28/2005) Tussock Moth Caterpillars?
While in Maine this August, I snapped some nice photos of
what I think are various kinds of tussock moth caterpillars;
am I right? Oh, and your site is basically Nirvana.
Johanne
 |
 |
| Definite-marked
Tussock Moth |
Banded
Tussock Moth |
Hi Again Johanne,
Sorry for the delay, but our internet access was down for
a week and mail really piled up. We agree that two of you
caterpillars are known as Tussock Moths. The third is possibly,
but we are unable to be more conclusive due to the camera
angle. The two that are Tussock Moths are from different genuses,
however. We believe one to be the Definite-marked Tussock
Moth, Orgyia definita. Family Lymantriidae. This Family is
known as the Tussock Moth Family. The other is probably the
Banded Tussock Moth also known as the Pale Tussock Moth, Halysidota
tessellaris, which is in the Family Arctiidae, the Tiger Moths.
Variegated Fritillary Caterpillar, not Buckeye Caterpillar
(10/26/2005) What is this caterpillar?
What is this? (Found in Eastern, TN)
This is a Common Buckeye Caterpillar, Junonia coeni. The
caterpillars feed on Snapdragons, Plantain and Acanthus.
Correction (07/02/2006)
The caterpillar
identified as Buckeye is a Variegated Fritillary.
Do you know how to tell the difference between the Viceroy
and Red-spotted Purple? I wrote about them a moment ago and
later saw a response on your site which mentioned the similarity.
I've reared hundreds but always together and never took the
time to try to differentiate. Don't forget to
order your free butterfly eggs and free butterfly plant seeds!
Thanks
Edith Smith
Shady Oak Butterfly Farm
Butterflies for Every Occasion! Celebratory Releases
12876 SW CR 231, Brooker, FL 32622
352-485-2458
http://www.butterfliesetc.com
Western Tussock Moth Caterpillars
(10/24/2005) Pacific Tussock Moth
I'm just one of those people who work at the Exploratorium
who loves your site, so I thought you might like
to see an invader that concerned me earlier this
year. The caterpillar in question was eating all
the ground cover over a large area on the side of the hill
where I live on Mount San Bruno, just south of San Francisco.
Here's what it looked like on the human-scale:
Note the brown eaten area. Not a leaf left! I consulted a
local expert and he informed me that the culprit
was the Pacific Tussock Moth, Hemerocampa
vetusta, which I couldn't find in your collection
of caterpillars, so here you go - a small portion of the MILLIONS
that were out there: And a close-up: Keep up the good work!
Ron
 
Hi Ron,
Thank you for the nice letter. As you stated, this is a new
species for us. We always like to research new species. We
did locate a caterpillar on BugGuide
that looks identical to yours that is identified as the Western
Tussock Moth Caterpillar, Orgyia vetusta. The genus formerly
known as Hemerocampa is now recognized as Orgyia. Thank you
for the images.
Io Moth Caterpillar
(10/23/2005)
I am delighted by the wonderful pictures. My neighbor here
in the campground found the attached caterpillar in a box
of garlic sent from B.C. Canada. She does not know if
it crawled into the box after it was opened in her tent or
it it is a stowaway from Canada. It stung her and though
concerned did not want to destroy it. Can you help us identify
it?
Thanks
Gery
Hi Gery,
Luckily, the sting of the Io Moth Caterpillar only results
in mild discomfort.
Fall
Webworms
(10/23/2005) Can you help?
Every year in August in Michigan( all through michigan), I
see this web like mass in trees. I asked the locals, they
had no clue what they were, they didn't even notice them.
Do you know what it is?
Yvette
Hi Yvette,
This is a Fall Webworm, Hyphantria cunea, nest. In the fall,
these social caterpillars can build enormous webs that cover
the leaves. Here is a site
with more information.
Spiny
Oakworm
(10/18/2005) Mystery caterpillar
Hi there- I was doing some field work in Nogales, Arizona
(Santa Cruz County) and came across this caterpillar. There
was a large group of them scattered among 3-4 oak trees.
I unfortunately know little about insects, and was not having
much luck identifying the species by comparing my pictures
to ones on-line. I was hoping that you could help me identify
these critters. They were an orangey-red color with black
protuberances. I did not see them in any other tree besides
the oaks and when they weren't eating the leaves, they were
bobbing from side to side. Thanks.
Joanna Cezniak
Hi Joanna,
This looks like a Spiny Oakworm in the genus Anisota.
Ed. Note: (11/21/2005) The following correction just came in from Jim Tuttle.
I enjoy scrolling through your website periodically, and from a practical
point of view I am always looking for interesting records, food plants, and
range extensions for the Sphingidae, although I always take notes of the
Saturniidae too. Good job, it is a useful tool for the nature lover or the
frantic gardener. I casually noted two id's that need correcting.
Spiny Oakworm 10/18/2005 is actually Anisota oslari.
Keep up the good work!!
Regards,
Jim Tuttle
Tiger
Swallowtail Caterpillar
(10/17/2005) a beautifully colored grub
Well, we found this is a heating duct at Flathead Lake, Montana.
Can you identify this "grub"? Thanks
Sam
Hi Sam,
Beautiful Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar image. Your photo
shows the Osmeterium. The Osmeterium is a Y-shaped gland located
behind the head of some caterpillars which can be pushed out
to emit a chemical disagreeable to potential predators. Your
caterpillar will eventually metamorphose into a large beautiful
black and yellow striped butterfly. The Tiger Swallowtail
is the official state insect of Virginia and Georgia. The
official butterfly of South Carolina and the state mascot
and official butterfly of Alabama.
Snake Mimic
(10/15/2005) amazonian caterpillar
Hello,
I spotted this beautiful caterpillar during a trip to the
Mamirauá reserve in the Amazon rainforest. I understand
there are a few species that present this snake mimicking
behavior, but I haven't found the right match for this one
yet. Can you help? Thanks and congratulations on your website.
Pablo
Mexico City
Hola Pablo,
Wow, your photo is awesome. Sadly we can't identify this amazing
mimic. Please update us if you ever identify it.
Hello Daniel,
I did some more research here and came across an amazing book
on camouflage, mimetism and the like by Roger Caillois. The
book's name is Medusa and Company. He describes four species
with similar behavior, of these only one lives in the Amazon,
and the position this one adopts surely fits the description.
The name is Leucorampha Ornatus (or ornata). I could only
find a few pages on the web referring to this species, all
in french or italian.
all the best
Pablo
Tomato Hornworm
(10/13/2005) They need FOOD?
Hello,
Please can you tell me what plants other than Tomatoes a Tomato
Hornworm would like to eat? There are a few cute little (growing
fast) caterpillars in my garden and I am afraid they are running
out of food. The only other plants nearby are rose bushes.
I can not find Tomato plants in any stores because of the
season. Please help me help them. I think they are beautiful
and watching them in the morning makes me ever so happy. With
Love,
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for resizing your photo to fit our site. It saved
us a step. Tomato Hornworms will eat Datura or Jimson Weed,
a native hallucinogenic plant. They will also eat the leaves
of potato, eggplant and possibly peppers. Good luck. They
will also nibble on stems from the tomato plants. In desperation,
try getting tomatoes from the market, though our experience
is that they only eat green tomatoes on our plants.
Tomato
Hornworm Pupa
(10/09/2005) whatsthisbug?
found in our garden in Southern California
thanks!
Robert
Hi Robert,
We suspect you found this near the tomato plants. It is a
Sphinx Moth pupa, probably the Tomato Hornworm.
Pandora Sphinx Caterpillar
(10/08/2005) Caterpillar
Mr. Bugman:
My son caught this caterpillar in a shrub. What's this bug?,
and Is it poisonous?, Can he touch it?
Thank you
Jorge López Collado
College Station, Texas.
Hi Jorge,
What a beautiful photo of a Pandora Sphinx Caterpillar, Eumorpha
pandorus. They are not poisonous, can be handeled, and metamorphose
into beautiful moths. The pose in your photo is textbook,
and the reason moths in this group are called Sphinx Moths.
The caterpillar has a resemblance to the Egyptian figure.
Hickory Horned Devil
(10/07/2005) heres a pic for you
I didnt know how to upload a photo to your site, so i hope
this is ok. We have been everwhere on the internet, tring
to find what this caterpillar was called. And thanks to your
site we now know. I hope you can use the picture. I
have a few more if you would like them. Thanks again.
bbscarvic and family
Hi BB,
Thanks for your head-on view of a Hickory Horned Devil. The
time and effort we spend posting all letters and images ourselves
allow us to control content as well as aesthetics. Thanks
for your contribution.
Brown Hooded Owlet Caterpillar
(10/06/2005) Caterpillar ID?
Hello,
I live in Colorado and spotted this caterpillar on a Patterson
Aster (Machaeranthera pattersonii) and have been unable to
identify it? Could you help?
Thanks,
Tony
Hi Tony,
We would love to help. This is a Brown Hooded Owlet Moth Caterpillar,
Cucullia convexipennis. We do have one photo on one of our
caterpillar pages, but the coloration is a slight variation.
They feed on asters as well as goldenrod.
Orange Dog
(10/04/2005) our baby dragon
My girlfriend and I have been feeding this little fella for
a couple days. He seems only to like the leaves from
her equally beloved lemon tree, however, and not the ones
from any of the other flora. I'm surprised he hasn't
been eaten by any of the many birds that sit in the flower
bed where we have him housed here in Southern California.
We are just so grateful to have a bug friend that isn't a
@#$@#%@# spider, that we're quite attached. Would love
to know what he is though. As you can see, he's got
a caterpillar kind of body and then almost a fake head. And
if you bug him a little (heh), he sticks out what looks like
a red forked tongue (also pictured). Thanks for your
help. Definitely thought I was in the running for weirdest
bug in the neighborhood 'till I browsed your site a little.
d
 
Hi D,
The common name for your caterpillar is the Orange Dog because
of its diet, often leaves from orange trees. Obviously, it
also eats other citrus. This is the caterpillar of the Giant
Swallowtail. Probably birds don't bother it since the caterpillar
has the appearance of bird droppings. Those orange horns are
actually scent glands that give off a foul odor, another bird
deterrent.
Pipevine
Swallowtail Caterpillar
(10/04/2005) bug id, catpartid, and cat photo
Dear Bugman,
WOWEEEEEEE! What an amazing site. It seems like many people
like to hang on to their knowledge and it's wonderful to see
someone sharing it so generously. Thank you! I have several
questions: 1) What is this bug that's attached to the monarch
butterfly? It is flying OK. SF Bay area
2) I see you have a couple of red pipevine swallowtail cat
photos on your site; here's a black one.
3) I'm creating a website about monarch butterflies and would
like to ID some parts. I've searched the web high and low
for photos of monarch cat spiracles and all I can find are
line drawings. Same with mouthparts. Can you confirm these
are correct? I'd hate to pass on misinformation!
Sincerely,
Hazel
Hi Hazel,
First, thanks for the sweet letter. We can't see anything
in the Monarch photo, but know that Pseudoscorpions sometimes
hitch rides on flying insects. We love your Pipevine Swallowtail
Caterpillar photo and are proud to have it. Regarding the
labeling of the caterpillar image, you should probably check
with a real expert. We are rank amateurs, but in our opinion,
the labels look correct.
Variegated
Fritillary Chrysalis
(10/03/2005) Dear Whatsthatbug:
Is it possible that the squeaky wheel might get the grease?
We emailed a week or so ago and we are still dying to find
out what in the world this is! We know it is some type of
pupa, chrysalis, cocoon, but of WHAT? It was about
1 inch long (maybe a little longer) attached to the concrete
side of a covered bridge in South Central PA. The most intriguing
thing about it to us, is the fact that it was as hard and
shiny as the chrome on my husband's Harley. So give us an
idea....what IS this thing?
Signed,
Squeaky and curious
Ed. Note: We were dragging our feet on
this one, and Squeeky found the answer.
I thought you might be interested in another response I got
while waiting for yours. This guy seems to think that this
is a variegated fritillary pupa, which when I looked it up
seems to be more of a fit. The caterpillars look very similar.
Here is a photo I found of it on the web. http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/johnson/hort/Butterfly/images/VarFrit04.jpg
Thank you for your help! I've never been much of a bug enthusiast,
but since finding your site, have really taken a keen interest
in this!
Julie
Io
Moth Caterpillar
(10/03/2005) What is it?
Hi bugman,
I found this caterpillar happily munching on one of my hibiscus
plants. I checked your web page but was unable to identify
it based on all the other photos. Can you tell me what
it might be?
Thanks
Terri
Punta Gorda, Florida
Hi Terri,
This is an Io Moth Caterpillar, one of the Giant Silkworm
Moths, though not one of the largest. The spines are mildly
poisonous.
Imperial Moth Caterpillar
(10/02/2005) Largest Caterpillar I have ever seen!
Good day!
I have looked through your 3 pages of caterpillars, w/o success.
Found this enormous caterpillar (well, I guess it is a caterpillar)
in Midlothian, Virginia (near Richmond, Virginia). It
was at least 5 inches long and very thick and hairy.
We camp and hike a lot and have never seen a caterpillar this
size before. We didn't keep it because we were afraid
we would accidentally kill it, and of course it's gone now.
Just very curious. Have attached photos. I love your
website! What beautiful critters you have there.
Thanks,
Sami
Hi Sami,
It is understandable that you couldn't identify your caterpillar
even though we have several on the site. This is an Imperial
Moth Caterpillar. They are usually green, sometimes blue green,
occasionally yellowish orange, sometimes light brown, and
then there is your example, dark brown, which is a color we
have never seen. The black horns are particularly noteworthy.
Variegated Fritillary Caterpillar and next day Chrysalis (not Buckeye)
(10/02/2005) caterpiller identy
i cant name it... would you beable to help. found on my house
on the part just below the door. tomorrow in the sun if its
still there ill try to take a better picture of it.
 
This is a Buckeye Butterfly Caterpillar, Junonia coenia.
Our guess is that if you take a photo tomorrow, you will find
something very different, a chrysalis. The position of the
caterpillar, hanging head down with a "C" curve indicates
this. The caterpillar left its food source, possibly Snap
Dragons in your garden, and sought the side of the house as
a safe place to pupate.
(10/03/2005) Buckeye Caterpillar update
thanks for letting me know what it was.. heres some new pictures
taken today,
Correction (07/02/2006)
The caterpillar
and pupae identified as Buckeye is a Variegated Fritillary.
Do you know how to tell the difference between the Viceroy
and Red-spotted Purple? I wrote about them a moment ago and
later saw a response on your site which mentioned the similarity.
I've reared hundreds but always together and never took the
time to try to differentiate. Don't forget to
order your free butterfly eggs and free butterfly plant seeds!
Thanks
Edith Smith
Shady Oak Butterfly Farm
Butterflies for Every Occasion! Celebratory Releases
12876 SW CR 231, Brooker, FL 32622
352-485-2458
http://www.butterfliesetc.com
Banded Sphinx Caterpillar
(10/01/2005) caterpillar
Attached is a photo of a caterpillar taken at Meadowlark Gardens
in Vienna, Virginia on Sept 30th, 2005. It was found on a
water plant growing at the edge of a pond. We have been unable
to identify it and would appreciate your help. It has retracted
the front part of it's body.
Thank you.
Diane Salman
Hi Diane,
I know our site is out of control, but we try our best to
make it user friendly. We have three caterpillar pages. There
is also a search engine that works quite well. This is a Banded
Sphinx, Eumorpha fasciatus.
The Laugher
(10/01/2005) What's That Caterpillar
Hey WTB!
We found this little dude climbing on our neighbor's driveway.
It has the most interesting looking face; the black markings
almost looks like some kind of Japanese or Asian theater mask.
Our 6-year old boy says it looks like a "ninja caterpillar".
We looked quickly through your 2005 caterpillar pics but did
not see anything that looked like it. So what's that bug (caterpillar)?
Thanks!
Dave
Hi Dave,
You didn't see your caterpillar on our site because it is
a new species on our site. We have been wanting someone to
send in an image of The Laugher, Charadra deridens, for some
time now just because we love the common name. The Laugher
is a Noctuid Moth which includes cutworms and Owlet Moths.
The caterpillar feeds on the leaves of beeches, birches, elms,
oaks, and other broadleaf trees.
Tiger
Swallowtail Caterpillar: Bird's Eye View
(09/29/2005) Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar
Hi guys, great site you have, I’ve really enjoyed it!
I thought you might like this pic of a Tiger Swallowtail cat
taken from the predator’s perspective!!!
Peace and Blessings to All!!!
Cliff
Montreat , NC
Hi Cliff,
Awesome image. It is clearly understood how these eyespots,
which are not real eyes, work as a protective device. The
innocuous caterpillar take on the appearance of a large predatory
reptile, easily startling and repelling any hungry bird that
stumbles upon the tasty morsel.
Crowned
Slug Caterpillar
(09/29/2005) Georgia mystery bug
I love your site, but this is the first time I haven't been
able to ID something from the pictures already there. Can
you identify this thing? I can't tell if it's a
species of caterpillar or what. It's bright green,
with a lacy appearance around the sides of the body. Underside
is a clear, almost snail-like body--moves like a snail as
well. Very minute red markings, tiny dots on the
back near the tail, and a reddish edging around the head end,
which is flat. Somewhat shaped like the picture
of the skiff moth on your site. We live in Georgia
and this was on my car this afternoon. Thanks!
Amelia
Hi Amelia,
This is one of the Slug Caterpillars in the family Limacodidae.
It is the Crowned Slug, Isa textula.
White Lined Sphinx Caterpillars
(09/28/2005) identify caterpillars
Can you help us identify these caterpillars? My daughter would
like to try to keep them until they form a butterfly or moth.
I need to find instructions on how to do this as I assume
they are the kind that overwinter somehow. We live in Illinois
and found them in our yard feding on the weed (picture of
this also attached). They look like Catalpa moths, but we
don't have any catalpa trees in our area, and they are feeding
on this weed, not a tree. If you can give us instructions
for overwintering that would be great also, but even if we
just have an identification, I can do some web research.
Thanks
Deanne
Hi Deanne,
You should be able to find all you need to know about raising
White Lined Sphinx Caterpillars, Hyles lineata, by visiting
Bill Oehlke's site.
Pandora Sphinx Caterpillar
(09/26/2005) Greetings!,
My girlfriend and I were at Amicoloa State Park in North Georgia
when we saw this beauty! Not quite sure what it
is though. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Jacob
Hi Jacob,
We haven't gotten a photo of a Pandora Sphinx Caterpillar,
Eumorpha pandorus, in some time.
Polyphemus Caterpillar
(09/25/2005) Creatures
Hi,
The first 2 attachments are of a very large Caterpillar that
sent my Mom running for the hills, claiming she would "...never
go outside ever again." (she has since gone outside...)
After finding your site I think it is a Luna moth
Caterpillar, but I can't find a picture that has the same
patterns. Do they vary that much? or is this some other creature?
The second attachment shows a very interesting "X"
on his rear end. The 3rd attachment came from my tomato garden
and I think it is a tomato horn worm with parasitic wasp larvae.
This creature and attachments just about sent my Mom
into convulsions. (It creeped me out too.) By the way, we
live in Elkridge, Maryland. Also just wanted to say that your
site is terrific it has helped me several times this summer
identify weird and wonderful things in our yard.
Thanks,
Tina Guyton
Hi Tina,
Your caterpillar is another Giant Silkworm, the Polyphemus
MOth.
Catalpa Sphinx Caterpillars including possible Albino!!
(09/25/2005) Catalpa Sphinx Caterpillar Albino?
Hello bugman,
Your site is terrific! We used it to identify these
caterpillars which are madly defoliating our catalpa trees,
and we checked out the link you offered as well. But,
we've not found specific information to help us determine
the nature of the very pale version. Could this
be an albino of the catalpa sphinx?
Thanks!
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth,
Nice photo. Here is what we do know. The smallest caterpillar
exhibits the normal coloration of an early Catalpa Sphinx
instar. The largest caterpillar also exhibits normal coloration.
There are albinos possible in all species. This could be an
albino. If that is true, the adult would probably also exhibit
albinism. Good find.
Pink Striped Oakworm
(09/24/2005) Unknown Caterpillar
What is this little guy? I live in Melbourne, FL
and we found him on our back wall. He is about
2 inches long. Any ideas?
Thanks.
Cindy J.
Hi Cindy,
This is a Pink Striped Oakworm, Anisota virginiensis. Here
is a USGS
link with additional information.
Snowberry Clearwing Caterpillar
(09/24/2005) please identify
Dear Bugman, We love your site. Thanks for all the help
you provide for the many of us out there who can't figure
out what we're looking at even with a bug book in hand!. We
found this pretty fellow Sept. 24 strolling on the patio.
Can you please identify and tell us what he eats and what
his next step will be? Does he go underground?
Will he turn into a sphnix moth, whose picture we have
included? Thank you.
Mike and Sue DiStefano, Norfolk, VA
Hi Mike and Sue,
We believe this to be the Snowberry Clearwing Moth or Bumblebee
Sphinx, Hemaris diffinis. This caterpillar is green but turns
burgundy, pink or orange just before pupating. A distinctive
feature is the black caudal horn with a yellow base, as your
photo indicates. Your moth photo is a Pink Spotted Hawkmoth.
Another
Turbulent Phosphila Caterpillar
(09/24/2005) picture attached
OK, here is the picture of the caterpillar I described to
you yesterday (from my dog's head). I don't know what
kind of leaves it likes, it's in a ventillated tupperware
with some oak & maple leaves right now :)
Hope you can identify it for me!
Bill
Hi Bill,
Several days ago we got a photo of a group of the same caterpillars.
It took us awhile to identify the Turbulent Phosphila, Phosphila
turbulenta. It feeds of Greenbriar leaves, Smilax.
Snowberry
Clearwing Caterpillar
(09/23/2005) caterpillar
Found this fine fellow today in Alamo, Tn. We don't see a
similar one on your GREAT site so please identify.
Beth and Rick
Hi Beth and Rick,
This is a Snowberry Clearwing Caterpillar, Hemaris diffinis.
We got two images in a row, the other from Virginia. That
one was a burgundy pink color, the color they turn just before
pupating.
Imperial
Moth Caterpillar
(09/23/2005) What kind of caterpillar is this?
I found this Caterpillar in the mulch at the preschool where
I teach. It may make a good project for our classroom.
But, I don't know what kind it is. Also, whether it
is safe to touch. We are in Silver Spring Maryland.
It looks kind of like a drawing I have a of an Emperor Gum
Moth Caterpillar. But, are those found in the U.S.?
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
There are several different color morphs of the Imperial Moth
Caterpillar. It will metamorphose into a large beautiful yellow
and purple moth. We have several images of adult moths on
our Giant Silk Moth page.
Raising a Devil
(09/23/2005) hickory horned devil
My daughter found a very large hickory horned devil 2 days
ago. I found a little information but not anything about how
to keep it while waiting for it to come to the adult stage
before becoming a royal walnut moth (2 years!)We homeschool
and I was hoping to keep it and learn as much as we could
from this amazing creature. Please tell me what else I can
do for him.... We have him in an extra large (maybe 5 gallon) plastic
bug container. We are giving him water on a cotton
ball daily. We are giving him fresh leaves twice daily. We
put dirt on one side of the container (about 5 inches deep).
I had read that they will need to go underground to form
their chrysalids. He's been crawling around everywhere and
doing great. He's almost 6 inches long! Last night he dug
a hole and was in it all day. I thought he had begun to chrysalid.
Later, this afternoon he came out and he has shrunk! He's
about half the size he was earlier! Is this normal or is he
dying? He has since crawled back into his hole. Thanks for
the wonderful website and any information you have for me
will be great!
Blessings,
Melanie Doris
Hi Melanie,
What a wonderful letter. It sounds like you are doing everything
correctly. I would advise to not keep the soil too dry nor
too damp once the pupa forms. Keep is sheltered, but guard
against a deep freeze. It will need the cold, but in the ground
with a snow cover, the pupa does not freeze. Perhaps keep
it in a garage with some insulation. Patience is the key.
Good Luck.
Tent
Caterpillars
(09/23/2005) rockin' caterpillars
These little fellows were twitching in their mass cocoon.
The picture was taken in early summer. Can you identify
them?
Mike
Boise, ID
 
Hi Mike,
These are Tent Caterpillars, probably Eastern Tent Caterpillar,
Malacosoma americanum. Here is a link
with additional information.
Spicebrush Swallowtail Caterpillar: Orange Morph
(09/21/2005) Orange caterpillar
We found this is our driveway today. One of the photos
on your site had one that looked like it but said they were
green or brown. This one is yellow orange. What
is it?
Love your site!
Southern Ohio
Hi Buckeye,
Though we have not heard of an orange morph of a Tiger Swallowtail
before, we go on the record as identifying your caterpillar
as one. They are usually green and turn darker, often brown,
just before pupating.
Update Oops, We stand corrected: (04/26/2006)
I was looking over your excellent site again and noticed that on
Caterpillars 3 on the 9/21/2005 from S. Ohio you identified the orange
caterpillar as a Tiger Swallowtail. It is actually a Spicebush Swallowtail
caterpillar. The eye spots are very characteristic. Also, the Spicebush
swallowtail does have an orange morph.
Susan
Saddleback
Caterpillar
(09/21/2005) Found this bug in our vegetable garden.
The pain from the sting from this critter didn't last very
long. I sent the photo to a good friend of mine in Canada
and he emailed your web site to me. Checked out your
site and didn't see it listed. It's very beautiful
I think and I though you may be interested. We live
in central Virginia. I looks somewhat like the Saddleback's
I've seen on your web site. Do you know what it is?
Bert and Cheryl
Hi Bert and Cheryl,
This is a Saddleback Caterpillar and they do sting.
Hag Moth Caterpillar or Monkey Slug
(09/20/2005) slug that looks like a leaf
During a camping trip last Saturday one of the kids found
an unusual creature. These pictures are of a slug type
creature that was found in a wooded area near a lake about
40 miles north of Pittsburgh PA. From the side it looks
like curled horns. From the top it appears to look like
a brown leaf. From the bottom you can see a orange caterpillar
type body. It could move the leaf looking appendages.
Please help us identify this creature.
Thanks
Rick
Hi Rick,
The Hag Moth Caterpillar is also known as a Monkey Slug.
Turbulent
Phosphila Caterpillars
(09/19/2005) Caterpillar
Hi,
I was out taking photos this morning, and I noticed these
caterpillars. They caught my attention because they
seemed to be bickering quite a bit as they clustered together.
This is the first time I've seen this caterpillar and I haven't
been able to identify it with several of the university sites
or my field guides. Can you tell me what these are?
Thanks.
Jason
Hi Jason,
After days of searching we have identified your caterpillars
as the Turbulent Phosphila, Phosphila turbulenta, which ranges
in the Eastern U.S. and Canada and feeds on Greenbriar.
Brown Hooded Owlet Moth Caterpillar
(09/19/2005) Caterpillar
Daniel,
Thanks for your help in identifying the Cimbex Sawfly Larvae
last year, this is my question for this year. Thanks
Kim Baker
Park Ranger
Caesar Creek Lake
Waynesville, Ohio
Hi again Kim,
This year you have a new species for us, the Brown Hooded
Owlet Moth Caterpillar, Cucullia convexipennis. Your photo
shows it on one of its food plants, goldenrod. It also eats
asters.
Cecropia Moth Caterpillar
(09/19/2005)
found in georgian bay becomes large moth what is name?
This is a Cecropia Moth Caterpillar.
Heterocampa species
(09/17/2005) Purple and Pink Caterpillar!!!
This weirdo caterpillar is purple and pink!!! I have no idea
what this is, hoping you can help.
Danika
Hi Danika,
Your purple and pink caterpillar is in the genus Heterocampa.
Pale Tussock Moth
(09/17/2005) Caterpillar
Hi,
I found this caterpillar crawling along the edge of my burning
barrel. I have a caterpillar book, but I can’t find
it in the book. Can you tell me what it is? I live in western
Penna.
Nancy Murphy
Hi Nancy,
This looks like a Pale Tussock Moth, Halysidota tessellaris,
also called the Banded Tussock Moth. It feeds on oaks, willows,
poplars, hickories, and many other forest and shade trees
Probably
color variation of Hyles lineata
(09/17/2005) what's this?
We discovered this caterpillar on our 4 o'clocks about a week
ago and they have stripped the foliage. We have had
those flowers for four summers and have never seen these caterpillars.
Can you identify them for us? We live in Fallon, Nevada
Carleen Tucker
Hi Carleen,
We believe this to be a color variation of the highly variable
Striped Morning Sphinx Caterpillar, Hyles lineata.
Gulf
Fritillary Caterpillars
(09/13/2005) gulf fritillary caterpillars
We planted passion vines here in Alamo, Tn. just to get these
beauties and they are here in droves. Love your site,
Beth and Rick
Hi Beth and Rick,
We are thrilled that your caterpillar cultivation was a success.
We just saw hundreds of Gulf Fritillary Caterpillars on a
sad looking passionflower vine in the parking lot at Big Mama's
Bar-Be-Que in Altadena, CA.
Orange Dog
(09/13/2005) Can you tell me what this one is...
Found on an orange tree in Friendswood , Texas . It
rears aggressively when touched.
Thanks,
Kirt Costello
Hi Kirt,
The Caterpillar of the Giant Swallowtail is known as the Orange
Dog because of its favorite food source. Those orange horns
are revealed when the caterpillar is disturbed allowing it
to emit a foul odor, a defense mechanism. The caterpillar
also resembles bird droppings which helps it prevent being
eaten. Great photo.
Stinging Rose Caterpillar
(09/13/2005) Another Stinging Rose Caterpillar
This beauty was seen at Mammoth Cave National Park in KY this
past weekend. My 12 year old son, a true entomologist,
found it and stumped the rangers when he asked them to help
identify it. We found your website when we got
home and then followed the link from the other picture of
the same caterpillar. Very neat little critter. We
had him on the lid of a clear plastic container for a while
and could watch the way his legs moved, which is unlike any
other caterpillar we had ever seen! More like a
slug than a caterpillar! Thank you for helping
us to identify him. We have bookmarked your site
for future use!
Cindy (mom) and Eddie (son)
Dry Ridge KY
Hi Cindy and Eddie,
We are thrilled you were able to identify this lovely specimen
of the Stinging Rose Caterpillar, Parasa indetermina, because
of our site.
Imperial
Moth Caterpillar
(09/13/2005) what is this bug.
I was out checking my leland cyprus for bag worms and found
this guy. attached are 2 pictures of him. about 4 inchs long
green with yellow spots, yellow horns, white hairs looks kinda
like it had 2 heads, black feet we are in delaware
chris
Hi Chris,
This is an Imperial Moth Caterpillar. Obviously, it doesn't
have two heads. The head end has the yellow horns. We have
gotten many, many adult moth photos this year, but this is
just the second time for the caterpillar.
Hickory
Horned Devil
(09/12/2005)
Again, this is a catepillar encountered on a dry riverbed
at the Walls of Jericho in Tennessee.
http://nature.org/success/jericho.html
It's about six inches long and one inch wide.
Thanks
We misplaced your original email which happens when photos
are not attached to the text. This is a Hickory Horned Devil.
There was one on our homepage if you had looked.
Anise
Swallowtail Caterpillar
(09/12/2005) could you tell me what this is?
hi I live in california Southern....and found this guy..but
would live to know what it will turn into.
This is an Anise Swallowtail Caterpillar. They resemble
Black Swallowtail Caterpillars, but as you live in Southern
California and that is the range of the Anise Swallowtail,
we are sure it is the Papilio zelicaon. The orange horns are
an intricate defense mechanism. If the caterpillar is disturbed,
it rears up and reveals these orange fleshy organs that release
a foul odor.
Monarch
Butterfly Caterpillar
(09/10/2005) Please help to identify
Hi:
I took these photos about 11 AM today 9/10/05 in bright sunshine.
I was in Central Park, New York City, USA. The caterpillar
was on a leaf. The plant may be a milk weed. Would appreciate
any help.
Thank You.
Art LeMoine
Hi Art,
We are thrilled to find out that Monarch Butterflies are reproducing
in NYC.
Checkered-Fringe Prominent
(09/08/2005) Need Caterpillar ID Please
I was out in my front yard and noticed the lower branches
of the oak tree were stripped but I didn't see any swarm of
bugs that you might expect on such a stripping of leaves.
On close inspection right at the line where the stripped leaves
and whole leaves meet (logical place to look right?) I find
this guy. I don't think I've ever seen one like this before
and was wondering what it is. We are in Lawrenceville Georgia
and the photo was taken yesterday (Sept 7, 2005) Feel free
to use the photos for anything you like. I scoured your site
and didn't find anything close. It's quite a large tree and
the damage is minimal. Plus it's almost fall anyway so I'm
not looking to get rid of it or them. This is the only one
I could find. I'm just currious and I spend a lot of time
IDing snakes for people so figured it was my turn to "bug"
someone :) Thanks in advance for your help..Great site btw!
Brett Gardin
 
Hi Brett,
Great photos of the Checkered Fringe Prominent Moth Caterpillar,
Schizura ipomoeae.
Paddle
Caterpillar
(09/07/2005) huckapillar
Hello,
My mother found this handsome catapillar while picking huckleberries
in North Idaho. There is a huckleberry in the photo
for scale. We would love to know what it is!
Thank you!
Natalie
Hi Natalie,
We tried unsuccessfully to identify this awesome caterpillar
and Eric Eaton couldn't help us either. Then today, 21 September,
we received the following email from him: "Remember that weird
caterpillar with the spatulate tentacles coming out of it? I
think I have an ID. I was looking through Portfolio, the
software that we are storing our field guide images on, and
came up with this: Acronicta funeralis. It is a Noctuidae
moth larva known as the Paddle Caterpillar, appropriately
enough:-) Eric " Then we did additional web searching and
found it on a new website, at least for us, The USGS site
Caterpillars
of the Pacific Northwest Forests and Woodlands.
Spotted Tussock Moth Caterpillar
(09/07/2005) Caterpillar
Hi. I have been trying to identify this caterpillar
but have not found a similar one. This one was on an apple
tree. Thanks for your help and this is a wonderful site.
Dianne
Hi Dianne,
What a great photo of a Spotted Tussock Moth Caterpillar,
Lophocampa maculata. It prefers willows and poplars, but will
feed on many trees and shrubs.
Spiny Oakworm
(09/07/2005) Oak eating caterpillar
Hi there, I love your site. We recently found this guy munching
on a scrub oak near Santa Fe, NM. We found several
more on an oak tree in our back yard the next
day. They all seem to have moved on or pupated
by now but I would love to know what species they are.
Thanks,
Jeff Sherman
Hi Jeff,
This is a Spiny Oakworm, Anisota stigma. Our old Holland Book
lists them west to Missouri, but the range might have expanded
or the information at the time of publication may have been
incorrect.
Black Swallowtail Caterpillars or Parsley Worms
(09/06/2005) caterlippars in my parsley
I suspect these hungry guys (2 of 8 that were in our
parsley plant) will, in a later life, be Black Swallowtail
Butterflies - but correct us if we're wrong. We've got
a large Hydrangea bush next to the parsley where they're
making the "big change" - its been fun to watch
-worth the parsley they've devoured! We live in Southern
New Jersey ~ 15 miles east of Philadelphia, PA. Thanks for
answering a lot of bug mysteries - we visit often.
Dan M.
Hi Dan,
We are happy you visit often. You are correct, these are Black
Swallowtail Caterpillars, often called Parsley Worms or Carrot
Worms.
We
presume another species of Stinging Rose Eating Caterpillar
Cecrops Eyed Silkmoth
(09/06/2005) We havent seen this one before
Thanks in advance for your help. This one was found on a rose
bush in Payson, AZ at about 5,000 ft elevation. Length
is approaching 3". I have looked at a couple of
sites and didn't see any that looked quite like it.
Your help is appreciated.
Forrest
Hi Forrest,
We are going to check with some sources and we will get back
to you regarding this probably stinging rose eating caterpillar.
We wrote to Eric Eaton who supports our suspicion that this
is a relative of the Io Moth in the genus Automeris. Additional
web searching led us to Automeris cecrops panima, the Cecrops
Eyed Silkmoth.
Tiger
Swallowtail Caterpillar
(09/05/2005) Weird caterpillar in BC
Hi there:
I just found this guy today (Sep 5/05) crawling up the side
of my house in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. Any
ideas? He's got several rows of 4 blue dots each and what
look like false eyes on his back, and is about 1.5 inches
long. I live next to an apple orchard and asked the owner
who said he'd never seen anything like it. Let me know, please!
thx
Bill
Hi Bill,
This is a Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar. Most specimens are
green, but we have been getting images of these purplish brown
ones this year. They feed on leaves from cherry, birch, poplar,
ash and tulip trees. Perhaps they eat apple as well.
Ed. Note: Eric Eaton just provided this addendum:
"From what I understand, the swallowtail caterpillars turn
brown just before they pupate, which makes sense since they
usually pupate on brown surfaces (tree branches, fence rails,
and the like). That is a really nice specimen the person
photographed. Keep up the great work. Eric "
Orange
Dog
(09/05/2005) Giant Swallowtail caterpillar and unknown caterpillar
I live in central Mexico in Guanajuato state and found this
Giant Swallowtail caterpillar crawling across our porch. I
ID'd him from the web and found that he belonged on our lime
tree that's many feet from where he was seen crawling. Today
he's happily munching away, though another one I spotted on
the tree when I replaced him is no where in sight. I see that
you do have a picture of a Giant Swallowtail caterpillar but
I thought you might like one without the horns up. He sported
his twice when I went to place him back on the lime tree leaves.
Kinda cool to see. Otherwise, he looks like bird droppings
(which I know is his clever camouflage), especially when he's
still. The other critters I also found on the same lime tree.
It seems to be home to several insect species, including a
variety of ants, jumping spiders and the itinerant bee or
wasp. I spotted these little fuzzy white guys on the underneath
side of some of the leaves toward the base of the tree. They're
about 1/4" in diameter as far as I could tell. They were
in kind of a precarious place so I couldn't get really close.
I don't see anything on your site that resembles them. They're
too small for an asp, I think, and don't really look like
that. Any clues?
Thanks!
Stefanie
Hi Stephanie,
We are happy to post your Giant Swallowtail Caterpillar, commonly
called an Orange Dog. Your other image came through as garbage
and we can't view it.
English
Lobster Moth Caterpillar
(09/04/2005)
Hi, I found this on a tree in WAREHAM ENGLAND and just wondered
what larvae it was. Cheers
Richard
Hi Richard,
This had us very puzzled, but then we found it: Stauropus
fagi, the Lobster Moth, named because of the crustacean-like
caterpillar. It is relatively rare and feeds on the leaves
of beech and oak as well as other trees. We are thrilled to
have your awesome photograph for our archive. This is easily
the craziest looking caterpillar we have ever seen.
Stinging
Rose Caterpillar
(09/03/2005) Bright yellow with spines
Hi!
I was standing next to my rose bush and I thought my Blue
Girl should not have yellow flowers. So when I looked
a little closer I found this creature. It was attached
to the rose leaf like a slug but it was colored very beautiful.
Any idea what this is or what it will be? I live in Alpena,
Arkansas. It is in the Northwest part of the state.
Thanks,
Angie
Hi Angie,
We were sure this was a Slug Caterpillar, but not sure of
the species. That is why we wrote back for your location.
Then a web search led ut to a University
of Arkansas site that identified your Stinging Rose Caterpillar,
Parasa indetermina. The site we mentioned has images of the
adult moth as well. The caterpillar on that site has a red
background color your specimen lacks. The yellow version is
more common.
Sulphur Caterpillar
(09/03/2005) Probably so simple -- what's this caterpillar?
Hi, Bugman -- it's 2:08 a.m. and I've been looking through
your website for a couple of hours. I really ought to
be trying to get some sleep -- I am a stay-at-home Dad of
19-month old twins -- but the site is fascinating. When
a question about a furry caterpillar's identification came
up at the playground today, I gave two people your web address.
I have seen these caterpillars before but never photographed
any until tonight. I didn't see anything quite the same
on your site, so I'd like your help. Any thoughts?
My wife and I live in Arlington, Va, in case that's helpful.
Many thanks for a great site and lots of interesting photos
and information.
Thanks again for hours of fun.
David Foose
Hi David,
If you only knew about the hours we spent on our site instead
of sleeping. This appears to be a Sulphur Butterfly Caterpillar
in the genus Colias. Caterpillars feed on clover, alfalfa
and other legumes.
|
|
